Economic concerns have pushed aside the pandemic as a top source of worry for Canadian families, even as many Canadian cities battle a sixth wave of COVID-19.

Asked to name the number one thing that worries them and their families, 37 percent of Canadians chose cost of living, according to a poll designed by Public Square Research in partnership with The Hub.

With inflation coming in second place with 13 percent, the survey demonstrates that household finances are the dominant issue for half the country right now.

More than half of Canadians are also having trouble coping financially, with 51 percent agreeing that they are having difficulties. Thirty-six percent of Canadians say they are struggling a little and finding it hard to cope some days, nine percent of Canadians are struggling a lot, while three percent of Canadians say they are “close to breaking down,” and another three percent say they can’t keep going on like this.

On the other end of the spectrum are the 49 percent of Canadians who say they are managing well right now. The poll was conducted between April 8 and April 11.

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, who has based his leadership campaign around cost of living concerns and removing “gatekeepers” in Canadian life, has seen his campaign buoyed recently by large rallies and strong social media engagement.

A recent Abacus Data^{1Abacus Data conducted a national survey with a sample of 2,000 Canadian adults from April 4 to 9, 2022} survey found that Poilievre’s launch video^{2I’m running for Prime Minister to give you back control of your life} was generally well-received, even by voters who normally associate with other parties. The survey found that 52 percent of people agreed with the message of the video, while 24 percent disagreed and 24 percent neither agreed nor disagreed.

Poilievre also commands the support of Conservative voters on the question of who would make the best prime minister, according to The Hub‘s poll.

Respondents were asked to name the best choice for prime minister in a head-to-head battle against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and, in that scenario, Poilievre pulls in 53 percent support of Conservative voters compared to seven percent for Trudeau and with 40 percent choosing neither option.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown draws the support of 30 percent of Conservative voters, compared to seven percent for Trudeau and 63 percent choosing neither option. Jean Charest pulls in 27 percent support, with Trudeau getting six percent and 67 percent of Canadians choosing neither option.

Among the general population, Poilievre still leads the other leadership contenders in a head-to-head with Trudeau but appears to boost the prime minister’s numbers. Twenty-two percent choose Poilievre as the best choice for prime minister compared to 37 percent for Trudeau and 41 percent for neither option. On that question, Charest pulls in 14 percent support, compared to 34 percent for Trudeau and 52 percent for neither option.

As the Liberal government enters its seventh year in power, some eyes are turning to the question of who will succeed Trudeau as Liberal leader.

Among all Canadians, people are just as likely to say that deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland would make the best prime minister as Trudeau. Among Liberal voters, Trudeau is still dominant with 62 percent saying he’s the best choice, compared to 30 percent for Freeland.

The survey also asked Canadians how they feel about the recently signed governance agreement^{3How the Liberal-NDP agreement will work and what it might mean for Canadians} between the Liberals and the NDP.

While 60 percent of Canadians said it was nice to see party leaders working together for a change, 51 percent of voters said it “feels like a power grab.” Sixty-one percent of respondents agreed that the NDP was acting wisely to “leverage their power to get things done,” although more Liberals agreed with this than NDP voters, with 82 percent and 81 percent respectively.

Responses about the agreement are heavily correlated with partisanship, with Liberal and NDP voters supporting it and Conservative voters seeing it as a threat.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have registered to participate in the Maru Voice online panel. The research involved an online omnibus survey of 1,567.^{4Because the sample is based on those who initially self-selected for participation in the Maru Voice panel rather than a probability sample, no estimates of sampling error can be calculated.}

We’re excited today to be celebrating our one-year anniversary at The Hub. We certainly can’t complain about many slow days in that time.

In our first year, we provided insights and analysis on a federal election, two federal budgets, a month-long trucker protest, a war in Ukraine, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve amassed more than 10,000 subscribers to our daily newsletter and we’re seeing tens of thousands of people visiting our website each week, with our best week pushing up over 100,000 visitors.

As our team reflects on our first year, we’d like to take a moment to thank our readers, our contributors and everyone who has made our work possible by donating to The Hub. We’re excited to keep growing and getting better at what we do, and we hope you’ll continue to join us.

Stuart Thomson, editor-in-chief at The Hub

Testimonials

I want to congratulate the team at The Hub on their one-year anniversary in publication. In twelve short months, The Hub has established itself as a critical source of ideas, analysis and insights on the key public policy questions facing Canada. Its commentary and reporting are elevating our public discourse and encouraging us all to think a bit more about the country that we want in the future and how we can realize it. I look forward to seeing The Hub continue to grow and flourish in the coming years.

The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper, 22nd Prime Minister of Canada

Congratulations to The Hub as they mark a year of publishing thought-provoking contributions to Canadian public discourse. In an era where there’s a paucity of critical analysis, The Hub provides an important platform for a diversity of viewpoints that are getting Canadians thinking about the kind of country we want to be in the future.

Kevin Falcon, Leader, BC Liberal Party

Hurray for The Hub. In just a single year, The Hub has well begun its mission of elevating and improving public policy discourse in Canada. I am honoured to be part of this important and valuable project.

David Frum, author and journalist

Congratulations to The Hub on its one-year anniversary. The Hub has consistently brought expression to the public policy issues concerning younger generations of Canadians including housing affordability, the future of work, and how best to support modern families. In so doing, it has become an indispensable voice in our policy discourse. I’ve benefited from its insights and analysis even in those rare instances where I disagree. I wish The Hub and its team the best of success in the coming years.”

Raquel Dancho, Member of Parliament, Kildonan—St. Paul, Manitoba

Congratulations to The Hub on its one-year anniversary of publication. It’s proven itself a key source of big ideas and dispassionate debate at a time when both are desperately needed. I’ve been pleased to participate in its Dialogue series to talk about the health of Canada’s democratic institutions. I look forward to continuing to read The Hub and drawing on its insights and analysis in the months and years to come.

Michael Chong, Member of Parliament, Wellington-Halton Hills

Congratulations on The Hub’s first full year of publication. You’ve arrived on the scene at an important time for our province and our country. The Hub’s injection of ideas and analysis has enriched Canada’s public debate. I’m especially grateful that you’ve dedicated commentary to the value and dignity of work in the modern economy. These are fundamental questions that don’t get enough attention and it’s a credit to The Hub that you address them. I look forward to seeing what Year Two brings you, and for your readers.

Hon. Monte McNaughton, Ontario Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development

Congratulations to The Hub as it marks its one-year anniversary. It has quickly become a go-to source of insight, analysis and debate about the big questions facing the country. I wish The Hub and its team the best success in the future and look forward to seeing what comes next.

Jason Kenney, Premier, Alberta